Landscaping a Windbreak (Zone 5). Need some answers :-)?

Question

I live in Northern Lower Michigan (Zone 5). Our home sits upon a hill with a deep valley about 150' upwind so all year long winds rip through our half acre lot decreasing our homes heating/cooling efficiency, terrorizing our landscaping projects and outdoor furniture and making outdoor events just a windy nightmare. I have a hedge row of lilac (Syringa Vulgaris - or Common) started (five 7'+) to protect our yard but I am looking for something evergreen (or dec. and dense like a privet), fast growing and nice looking to protect our home more efficiently.
I have 70' between our home and the berm down to the road and we have a vegetable garden (30'x30') and a cement block worm farm (compost bin) (15'Lx4'D into side yard). Can anyone offer me suggestions for an efficient windbreak solution? How short/tall and how far from house to be effective and not cause adverse drifting or hot, stagnant air pockets?? What type of plant should I use? Thank you!

Answer 1

There is only one plant that can claim "top honors" in this category, and that is the Thuja "Green Giant" Arborvitae. It can grow to 10' in only 3 yrs. It grows thick and green and withstands all that nature throws at her. It is drought tolerant when established, can withstand snow and ice without breaking limbs off (cold hardy down to -25 degrees, a must for Michigan), and even grows in wet, clay soils. You can plant them closer together ( 4 - 5 ft. centers) and you will have a lush, evergreen hedge in no time, that will last you forever. It's even deer resistant and wards off many diseases and insects that affect the older varieties of arborvitae. Green Giant also received the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society "Gold Medal" Plant Award in 1998. Below, are 2 links with all the "facts" on this popular hedging conifer. Hope this answers your question. Good Luck!
http://www.botanyshop.com/
http://www.botanyshop.com/GREEN%20GIANT%20FACT%20SHEET%201.htm

**Billy Ray**

Answer 2

There is lots of free information from your home state and they are the ones best qualified to answer. Sometimes when you are planting windbreaks to conserve energy they will give you the trees or provide at a much reduced cost plus show you the best way to plant them for your property.
Former resident Grand Rapids.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Home Page
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr
Windbreak sub link
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153----S,00.html
Building a windbreak PDF
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda_CP-5_WINDBREAK_9621_7.pdf

Contact Department of Natural Resources
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10773-24871--,00.html
Contacting the DNR can be as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4....5. Using one of the contacts listed below, we'll help you find the answer to your question.

Answer 3

Small to medium flowering shrubs. My favourite are Hibiscus because they come in white, red, orange and pink flowers. They can be trained into a hedge if you prefer that also. They are a soft wood, so if you ever get sick of them they much easier than some species to dig out stumps etc. You could also have small shrubs at the top of the hill, medium shrubs half way down and medium to large trees at the bottom of the hill. Thats just one suggestion, you can change the planting order to suit your own personal tastes. Personally with trees and shrubs, I like to have some lawn around it. I always think that trees and shrubs alone look okay, but they create a lazy gardener effect. Whereas having lawn grow around them creates a more manicured cared for garden image. But once again, its all about personal preferences. I hope I have given you some food for thought and good luck with landscaping yor hillside. How about a gazebo/tea house on the top of the hill or else where?

Answer 4

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